Worshipping when we are tired and Misjudged
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In this psalm the problem is one of malicious slander and lies. It is the psalmist’s reputation rather than his person that is being attacked, and what he needs is a sense of the presence and approval of God rather than physical deliverance.
This is not the problem in . In this psalm the problem is one of malicious slander and lies. It is the psalmist’s reputation rather than his person that is being attacked, and what he needs is a sense of the presence and approval of God rather than physical deliverance.
David is in a situation where weariness is catching up on him and he is being misjudged with his character being attacked
David is in a situation where weariness is catching up on him and he is being misjudged with his character being attacked
Most link the setting with the setting of
Most link the setting with the setting of
is the Morning Psalm - is the Evening Psalm
is the Morning Psalm - is the Evening Psalm
If the setting is the same as then David is still on the run from Absolam
He is feeling tired and desperate
The great poet John Milton, who wrote that epic poem Paradise Lost, makes this important statement, “The mind is its own place, and in itself can make heaven of hell, a hell of heaven...” Let me read that again to you, “The mind is its own place, and in itself can make heaven of hell, a hell of heaven…”
We’re going to look this evening at what is one of the most poignant, dramatic, sad stories in all of Scripture. It’s the story of David and Absalom. You know the story, David was the anointed King of Israel, and his son, Absalom, began to turn on him, began to quest for his throne.
We’re going to look this evening at what is one of the most poignant, dramatic, sad stories in all of Scripture.
It’s the story of David and Absalom.
David was the anointed King of Israel, and his son, Absalom, began to turn on him, began to quest for his throne.
The minute you know that, you know that this story can't go anyplace good--it cannot have a good end.
The Bible tells us that the hearts of Israel turned toward Absalom.
Remember, this is a monarchy.
Unless the king is willing to give up his throne, the only way the throne could be taken is by his death.
Think about the crushing grief of a father whose son, not only wants his throne, but is plotting his demise.
Think of how heartbreaking it is to have the people that you’ve led, the people that you’ve served, be so fickle and be so disloyal.
David has escaped the throne in fear of his life and is hiding out in a cave with a sort of loyal band of followers.
David has escaped the throne in fear of his life and is hiding out in a cave with a sort of loyal band of followers. The story doesn't have a good end. The report comes to David that Absalom has been killed. David doesn't celebrate; he’s the father. He crumbles into grief, and you can hear those cries of a father echoing down the years of history, “Absalom, my son, Absalom, Absalom!” And so, is a wonderful look, a wonderful window into the heart of a man who's in the middle of that kind of trial, in the middle of the unthinkable. And in that way, it's a bit of a textbook for us on how to fight this spiritual war of trial. Brothers and sisters, realize this, trial is war! And how do you fight that war for the soul that is always there in trial? Well, let me read again for you ,
The story doesn't have a good end.
The report comes to David that Absalom has been killed.
David doesn't celebrate; he’s the father.
He crumbles into grief, and you can hear those cries of a father echoing down the years of history, “Absalom, my son, Absalom, Absalom!”
And so, is a wonderful look, a wonderful window into the heart of a man who's in the middle of that kind of trial, in the middle of the unthinkable.
And in that way, it's a bit of a textbook for us on how to fight this spiritual war of trial.
Brothers and sisters, realize this, trial is war!
And how do you fight that war for the soul that is always there in trial? Well, let me read again for you
Observation and Application
Observation and Application
The first remarkable application in this text is that in the midst of his disaster David Ran to God
Application:
Application:
Run to God NOT away from Him
Run to God NOT away from Him
Tempting - in these moments that stretch into hours that stretch into days … to Run From God
God I thought you loved me
God I thought you were good
I’ve followed you and obeyed you
This shouldn't happen
It can be tempting to drag God into the court of our judgment
Are you tired of the battle
What battle is making you weary right now?
What battle is making you weary right now?
If you work in an environment where everything is affirmed except faith in Christ, you may find that, over time, the ongoing erosion of an increasingly hostile culture begins to wear you down.
If you work in an environment where everything is affirmed except faith in Christ, you may find that, over time, the ongoing erosion of an increasingly hostile culture begins to wear you down.
If you are going through a stale time in your marriage or facing difficulties with a rebellious son or daughter, you may find that, over time, your energy drains and it is harder to keep going.
If you are going through a stale time in your marriage or facing difficulties with a rebellious son or daughter, you may find that, over time, your energy drains and it is harder to keep going.
Maybe you have been battling against a particular sin and, for a while, you made progress. But then the old temptation reared its ugly head and, having fallen again, it’s hard to find the energy to get up and press on.
Maybe you have been battling against a particular sin and, for a while, you made progress. But then the old temptation reared its ugly head and, having fallen again, it’s hard to find the energy to get up and press on.
Or perhaps, after serving in ministry for some time, you feel that you are running out of steam. Anyone who serves God wholeheartedly will know what it is to come to a place of saying, “I don’t know how much longer I can do this.” So how do you stay the course when you are tired of the battle?
Or perhaps, after serving in ministry for some time, you feel that you are running out of steam. Anyone who serves God wholeheartedly will know what it is to come to a place of saying, “I don’t know how much longer I can do this.” So how do you stay the course when you are tired of the battle?
Here David … Instead of Running from God … Ran too Him
Look at what He does
Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!
You have given me relief when I was in distress.
Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!
O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame?
How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah
Psa;lm 4:1-2
David is grieved and tired … He turns to God.
Where do run?
Where does your heart run?
To God? or away from Him?
Look at
But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself;
the Lord hears when I call to him.
David reminds himself of His Identity in the Lord
Application:
Remember who you are!
Remember who you are!
IN the Book AWE … Paul Tripp states that when trials are upon us … we suffer from “Identity amnesia”
WE are like Jason Bourne … WE are functioning … maybe highly functioning … But we forget who we really are!
WE are Children of the Most High God …
WE have been set apart by Him … for Him and his purposes
Trials challenge the things that you look to for your identity
Where does your heart run in trouble
Identity NOT in …
Your Marriage
Job
Appearance
Financial well-being
Church membership
Physical health
If your identity is not in the Lord … you are in spiritual danger
LISTEN … Your trial will become more of a trial if that which you find your identity in is now in danger
Trials call us back to the place where our identity is secure
Is your identity in the LORD?
Not just theologically but functionally!
Here is something to remind yourself of every day …
“I am on of His set apart ones … I didn't set myself apart; He set me apart by His sovereign grace. And because I am His set apart one, he will never turn a deaf ear to my cry.”
“I am on of His set apart ones … I didn't set myself apart; He set me apart by His sovereign grace. And because I am His set apart one, he will never turn a deaf ear to my cry.”
Look now at
Be angry, and do not sin;
ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah
He runs to God, not away from Him; He remembers who He is; He Examines His Heart
Application
Examine your Heart
Examine your Heart
Whgen your trial is raging … many times you not paying attention to what is going on in your own heart
The Psalmist mentions two very regular tendencies
When your trial is raging … many times you not paying attention to what is going on in your own heart
Two temptations we face in trouble ...
The First is Anger
The First is Anger
Could be low-grade irritation where everyone knows your’e mad
Or the silent treatment … cold silence
Maybe there are pots and pans banging around
Or irritation with your kids
Or screaming in the car in traffic
If you are angry in your circumstances and you have claimed to believe in a sovereign God, your anger is with Him.
If you are angry in your circumstances and you have claimed to believe in a sovereign God, your anger is with Him.
Most of us wouldn't face God and rage against Him … that wouldn't be Christian
Most of us wouldn't face God and rage against Him … that wouldn't be Christian
But in subtle ways we are announcing that Anger in our situations and relationships
But in subtle ways we are announcing that Anger in our situations and relationships
WE dont typically run towards someone we are angry with!
Examine your heart
Anger isn't necessarily a sin …
Anger isn't necessarily a sin …
“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,
Eph 4
But anger unresolved … leads to sin
We are then introduced to our second tendency in trouble … the first is anger
The Second is Talking
The Second is Talking
Here’s what he says, “Be angry, do not sin. Ponder in your heart, in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent.”
We all know how hard it is to be silent in times of trouble
Inside of us is a complaint to share, a frustration to vent, a hurt to share.
Many times our vocalizing of our complaints is not helpful
A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.
My dissatisfaction and anger with my troubles boils over into many kinds of harmful, unhealthy and ungodly communication.
I know this is true of me …
In times when I am troubled my silence has not hurt anyone … probably because I have too much to say
What an amazing thing we see here … for a man in the midst of this crushing trial to be so self-aware as to look in his heart.
He runs to God, not away from Him, He reminds himself of His identity, He Examines His OWN Heart
He runs to God, not away from Him, He reminds himself of His identity, He Examines His OWN Heart
He Turns His Heart to Worship
He Turns His Heart to Worship
Application
Turn your Heart toward Worship
Turn your Heart toward Worship
QUESTION
When you are in the midst of difficulty do you want to worship?
When you are in the midst of difficulty do you want to worship?
I had it so powerfully said to me one day as I was walking through a time of great trial with a lady who was facing the unthinkable, and she said, “I can barely stand to sit in a service of worship. It’s almost impossible for me to sing, ‘Great is Thy Faithfulness.’ I look around and I'm angry; I’m bitter against the people around me who seem to be worshiping with an open-heart. I say to myself, ‘Why even bother going to church? Look what's going on in my life!’” Tripp
Offer right sacrifices,
and put your trust in the Lord.
To the choirmaster: according to Lilies. A Maskil of the Sons of Korah; a love song.
My heart overflows with a pleasing theme;
I address my verses to the king;
my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.
You are the most handsome of the sons of men;
grace is poured upon your lips;
therefore God has blessed you forever.
Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one,
in your splendor and majesty!
In your majesty ride out victoriously
for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness;
let your right hand teach you awesome deeds!
Your arrows are sharp
in the heart of the king’s enemies;
the peoples fall under you.
Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.
The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness;
you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness.
Therefore God, your God, has anointed you
with the oil of gladness beyond your companions;
your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia.
From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad;
daughters of kings are among your ladies of honor;
at your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir.
Hear, O daughter, and consider, and incline your ear:
forget your people and your father’s house,
and the king will desire your beauty.
Since he is your lord, bow to him.
The people of Tyre will seek your favor with gifts,
the richest of the people.
All glorious is the princess in her chamber, with robes interwoven with gold.
In many-colored robes she is led to the king,
with her virgin companions following behind her.
With joy and gladness they are led along
as they enter the palace of the king.
In place of your fathers shall be your sons;
you will make them princes in all the earth.
I will cause your name to be remembered in all generations;
therefore nations will praise you forever and ever.
You see that that principle, when I'm dissatisfied with God, it's very hard to run to Him with an open heart of praise, of sacrifice, of worship. Perhaps worship is never sweeter, and worship is never more heartfelt, and worship is never more honest and true then in times of trial. Because, in that moment, I'm not worshiping God because I think He has delivered what would make me happy. (Are you hearing me?) I'm worshiping God because he's God. And that's worship!
He runs to God … He remembers his identity … he examines his heart … turns heart to worship … If you want to add another ...
He actually ministers to others
He actually ministers to others
There are many who say, “Who will show us some good?
Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!”
Psalm 4:
His heart turned to worship … wanted to bring others along as well … He didn't want to be self-focused.
In verse 6 David is summarizing (poetically) what is going on where he is hiding
Those loyal to him were wondering “Whats going to happen now?
He doesnt give a sappy answer … that it’ll all work out … He prays
“Lord what these people need is to experience you” Right here Right Now
“Lord would you shine your face upon these people
Because here's what happens in trial, trial is like a mountain that lives in front of me that can cloud my vision of the Lord who is everywhere present within me.
Oh, I can see the trial; I can see all the things that are happening right now.
I can see all the, ‘What ifs?’ but the one thing I need to see, I don't see - the Lord who is with me.
David is essentially saying, “Father, I know You're in this cave, reveal Your presence to us because we desperately need to see You.”
Lasting, abiding, sturdy peace, brothers and sisters, is not to be found in understanding - lasting, sturdy, abiding peace is found in the Lord
Because this side of eternity, we won't understand; there won’t always be wonderful explanatory answers, but you will always have the presence of the Lord because He will not leave you, and He will not forsake you.
After all this David expresses one final beautiful thing …
You have put more joy in my heart
than they have when their grain and wine abound.
In peace I will both lie down and sleep;
for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
david is able to experience this joy and this peace because HE RAN TO GOD … Not away from Him
Listen, isn’t a testament of an unrealistically perfect man; is a narrative of what the grace of God can do in the heart of everyone who seeks Him.
This is not just David’s Psalm.
Brothers and sisters, this is your Psalm because that same God of grace would meet you in His grace in these moments of trouble.
Charles Spurgeon Captures this so well in the Treasury of David ...
Sweet Evening Hymn! I shall not sit up to watch through fear, but I will lie down; and then I will not lie awake listening to every rustling sound, but I will lie down in peace and sleep, for I have nought to fear. He that hath the wings of God above him needs no other curtain. Better than bolts or bars is the protection of the Lord. Armed men kept the bed of Solomon, but we do not believe that he slept more soundly than his father, whose bed was the hard ground, and who was haunted by blood-thirsty foes. Note the word “only,” which means that God alone was his keeper, and that though alone, without man’s help, he was even then in good keeping, for he was “alone with God.” A quiet conscience is a good bedfellow. How many of our sleepless hours might be traced to our untrusting and disordered minds. They slumber sweetly whom faith rocks to sleep. No pillow so soft as a promise; no coverlet so warm as an assured interest in Christ.
O Lord, give us this calm repose on thee, that like David we may lie down in peace, and sleep each night while we live; and joyfully may we lie down in the appointed season, to sleep in death, to rest in God!
Spurgeon, C. H. (n.d.). The treasury of David: (Vol. 1, p. 37). London; Edinburgh; New York: Marshall Brothers.
Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 6924 Cromwell’s Secretary
Oliver Cromwell’s secretary was dispatched to the continent on some important business. He stayed one night at a seaport town, and tossed on his bed, unable to sleep.
According to an old custom, a servant slept in his room, and on this occasion slept soundly enough. The secretary at length awakened the man who asked how it was that his master could not rest.
“I am so afraid something will go wrong with the embassage,” was the reply.
“Master,” said the valet, “may I ask a question or two?”
“To be sure.”
“Did God rule the world before we were born?”
“Most assuredly He did.”
“And will He rule it after we are dead?”
“Certainly He will.”
“Then, master, why not let Him rule the present, too?”
The secretary’s faith was stirred, peace was the result, and in a few minutes both he and his servant were in sound sleep.
Let’s Pray. Lord, thank you for this gorgeous Psalm written by a grieving man whose heart was a harmony of grief and joy. May we be people who run to and not from You. In Jesus name, Amen.